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No check policy at pizza place draws ire of Senate leader, blog says

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james | 12:45 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

more arrogance...

look for a new law requiring all pizza deliverys to accept cash from legislative leaders.

Frank | 1:03 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Sounds like stuff I deal with on a daily basis. When your dealing with finances everyone believes they are the exeption to the rule, and everyone else should have to follow.

Former Pizza guy | 1:04 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Where has Bramble been for the past 10 years? Cash/Charge are the best things when ordering from restaurants. Debit cards are all the rage, Senator! Come into the 21st Century and get your plastic out for these purchases!

Comments continue below

Thank goodness | 1:04 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

I now know for sure who NOT to reelect to Bramble's position.

Good grief. Look around. It's been cash or card for years at most places.

What a dumb decision on Bramble's part.

Bramble is right | 1:06 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

I would normally disagree with Bramble since I don't share his political views but Bramble is correct. The Pizza company expects a person to give someone they haven't met their name, and details of their credit card but can't trust someone to write a check.

This is why I only order Pizza online if I don't have cash. I refuse to give my credit card information to someone over the phone when I can't verify that they don't keep the information for later illegal purposes.

About Us? | 1:07 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

How many of us would like to have some of our temper-tantrums blogged by sales associates/clerks/pizza delivery people? ... I am glad mine aren't!

Brambles and Briars | 1:07 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

More hubris from the secretary-general of Utah's only political party.

You voted 'em in, Utah.

uncannygunman | 1:13 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Sen. Bramble--you tried to purchase a legal product and were frustrated by a policy you did not understand and could not control.

Please take your sense of frustration, multiply it one-hundred-fold, and then try to understand how this state's drinkers feel about the alcohol policies imposed by you and your colleagues.

Thank you.

Not news | 1:20 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Bramble and his buddies are constantly writing checks that no one wants to cash...East Jordan School District,RSL soccer stadiums, Broadway style theaters, private school vouchers, pizza delivery people....

Telling | 1:23 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

The blog post, tells us a lot about the kind of person Bramble is: Short-tempered, arrogant, unreasonable, disrespectful and not the type of person I want representing me. I also think it's telling that he says he isn't from Utah but from the East. Chicago isn't exactly East but it's clear he sees himself as being more a Chicago style politician than representing Utah values of kindness and public service. The sad thing too is I hear stories like this all the time about Bramble as he works with people in the legislature and his district. I'm glad someone finally captured how he behaves.

Re: Bramble and Briars | 1:30 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Yes, Utah voted him in but he is up for re-election with a strong candidate running against him, RaDene Hatfield. We certainly don't have to vote him back in, especially not when we have a good alternative.

Obviously Not From Utah | 1:43 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

We pay for pizza delivery by cash, credit, and yes, by check. What's the big deal about a check?

Duh | 1:56 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Rules aren't for Republicans.

Those silly things are for the little people.

Anonymous | 1:59 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

He actually thought that telling this girl he was a "respected politician" was going to get her to break on company policy and accept a check? That was by far the best part.

Chris Plummer | 2:04 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

People still write checks?

TO: Obviously Not From Utah | 2:06 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

You can tell D-news has nothing to write about when they make this a story, but anyway.. I'm not from Utah either, and most restaurants I go to don't take checks either. I honestly don't thinks it's a Utah thing..

Bramble is wrong | 2:10 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Providing credit card information is actually safer than paying with a check. The Bank Routing Number and Account Number from the bottom of a personal check can be used to commit fraud similar to what can be done with a credit card. It is much easier to contest a credit card charge than an ACH draft against your back account. Never, ever give anyone your debit card information.

Utah Resident | 2:19 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Aside from Grocery Stores, almost no retailers accept checks anymore. The amount of bad checks written in this state is astronomical.

Independent Utahn | 2:19 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

I have to agree. Utah Republicans only follow rules that make sense to them or that they passed. What would Mr. Bramble say if a business doesn't take American Express? "American Express is as good as cash! Take the pizza's back"

Please vote for change in Utah. Having so many Utah repubs running around is getting old and expensive.

It'll be interesting to see what Bramble and the Utah repubs do to check writing laws in Utah and pizza delivery stores in Utah (county) such as... Members of the State Legislature who are Republican shall be able to write checks to pizza stores for pizza and drinks and breadsticks. Democrats must use credit cards when ordering but they can only order breadsticks.

Please vote for good people, from the GOP or the dems but we must have some change...please....help us...

Introductions, please! | 2:21 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Real World, meet Sentator Bramble.
Senator Bramble, welcome to the world of everyday people.

RE: Independent Uthan | 2:29 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Since when does "Independent" equate to "Democrat?"

And since when does arrogance of one party member represent all Republicans in Utah?

And if you don't think change can happen, you should call Cannon and tell him the election he lost was a fluke.

And since when does a pizza incident turn into a "this is the problem with Utah politics?

Maybe you should try change, leave Utah for five years, get an outsiders' view, come back and then pontificate.

itsjustme | 2:33 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

I don't take checks in my business because of the high costs associated with NSF fees charged by my bank. It's cheaper to pay the processing fees for the credit card, then to risk the expenses of having to collect on a bad check.

Above policy... | 2:37 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

I love how Bramble thinks he should be able to write a check - even though it's clearly the policy of this pizza joint, and many, many others, to accept only cash or credit - just because he's live in his house for 30 years, because he's a public figure and he's a CPA. I also like how he points out that his AMEX has a very high limit.

Who freakin' cares how long he's lived in house, if he's a public figure or if he's a CPA?!?!? And, who freakin' cares what the limit is on his AMEX card?!?!? Policy is policy - cash or credit. Not cash or credit, or check if you've lived in your house for 30-plus years, and/ or are a public servant, and/ or if you are a CPA.

Bramble just sounds like a whiny little baby. Welcome to the 21st century where most places DO NOT accept checks.

Let it go, Curtis | 2:43 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Sen. Bramble has made this story about 100 times worse than should have been by continuing his childish temper tantrum.

Josh | 2:43 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

The older people who claim the younger generation has no respect, you're in for a wakeup call. In all of my jobs i have seen adults and ESPECIALLY seniors tend to be the worst behaved, and teenagers the most respectful and courteous. I had to deal with guys like this all the time as a teller.

Whatta dinosaur | 2:57 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Who writes checks anymore? That's a rhetorical question, btw. Nothing chaps me more than being in line ANYWHERE to purchase something & having the fossil/luddite in front of me wait for their total amount due and then (and ONLY then) whip out a checkbook and spend the next 10 minutes writing the check, logging it in their check register, fumbling for ID, etc. etc. It's a brave new world kids, embrace the technology. It is there to make your life easier and more safe/secure. If you're reading this on a contraption that looks like a typewriter plugged into a TV then you have NO reason to write checks for anything other than your mortgage, car payment, and credit card bills. Heck, even those can be set up for online banking-- let the machines handle your banking for you. Now, get back to knitting that lovely afghan no one will ever use. That is all, good day to you. THWAPPP.

Identity theft victim | 3:04 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Senator Bramble, did you stop and think why the business has this policy? Itï¿½s simple, fraudulent checks - many of which are the result of identity theft which local and federal authorities generally refuse prosecute. My wife and I know this from experience.

Some other trivia for Sen Bramble:

Federal and state legislatures have allowed banks to stop keeping paper copies of checks but did not require the banks and other financial institutions to make legible scans of those documents. This makes it very difficult to recover from identity theft.

Business are far too lax on checking IDï¿½s and making sure the customer is really the owner of the card or checkbook. Businesses donï¿½t even check the back of the cards as they should and are never accountable. My card states ï¿½check IDï¿½ in the signature box. 3 out of 10 look at the back and only 1 out of 10 actually ask me for my ID. All of this with no fear of consequence.

Senator Bramble thanks for coming down and slumming with us long enough to have pizza but you should really spend more time down here with us mere mortals.

moving in | 3:11 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Hmmm.... I'm moving to Utah in a month, and now I know whom not to vote for.

Why is this News? | 3:16 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Huh? Who cares. Is this a tabloid or a newspaper?

Johny Fairplay | 3:20 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

This story reminds me of poppy Bush being flummoxed by grocery store scanners. Bramble - totally out of touch.

Memo To Bramble: | 3:20 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Ever heard of the "Monsters of the Midway"? Chicago is in the midwest!!! Also, only 80 year olds write checks anymore, welcome to 2008. Last but not least, please go back to Chicago and have a deep dish pizza.

Typical Bramble | 3:42 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Anyone who has had to deal with Bramble in the course of legislative work can attest that this kind of behavior is routine for him. Bravo to the pizza deliverer for not backing down to his bullying.

East of Utah | 3:57 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Wow!! A two dollar tip!! I bet that pizza girl was living it up after work.

Sheesh... | 4:05 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Making a big deal out of something, and making insulting judgements about someone just because they did exactly what uncountable numbers of people do daily is beyond ridiculous. I'd say anyone who hasn't ever been behind someone in line having that same debate, or worked as a cashier/delivery driver/etc and not had people upset over not being able to pay with a check has probably been under a rock for a long time.

Bank Employee | 4:23 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

There are a couple of things that we can do to protect ourselves against fraud and theft.
1) Even if the pizza employees do steal your card number, you will not be liable to pay for unauthorized purchases.
2) DO NOT PUT SEE ID ON THE BACK OF YOUR CARD!!! Visa, Master Card, AMEX, etc ask you to sign your card. They process millions of transactions a day, I think they know a little better than you what they would like you to do with their card.
3) If you cannot trust a business with your credit card number, you shouldn't trust them with your check either.
4) Maybe you should go talk to your local bank to ask them how to fight fraud.
Good Luck!

Anti-PC Infidel | 4:24 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Nancy Pelosi has all my money locked up in high gas prices, so I just look at the pizza advertisements and pretend.

Adam | 4:25 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Get a debit card. Debit card=Electronic check.

To Whatta Dinosaur | 4:31 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Ever had your life turned inside out because someone "discovered" your password and emptied your checking account even though you still had that wonderful little debit card? I have. Technology is no more secure than a check, or than the next person who can figure out a way to beat the system. There is no such thing as secure - check or technology. Nothing is hacker-proof. Been there, trust nothing.

Independent Utahn | 4:35 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

to RE: Independent Utahn 2:29 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

I never said anything about vote dems. My last line was, "Please vote for good people, from the GOP or the dems but we must have some change...please....help us..." Bramble represents quite a bit of what I see of the Utah Republican party. They arrest their own, they kick out their own, they only allow their own to vote. That's not just Bramble but the leadership.

Many repubs in Utah grow government, a democratic ideal. If you want proof, lookup the top 10 employers in Salt Lake County...all government but IHC. I'm not convinced repubs are conservative in Utah. Remember, Corroon nixed the soccer stadium and the repubs stole $35 million from the County to give to ReAL. By the same token, the dems have had Rocky. Now, I will admit that many dems in Salt Lake County races look pretty appealing to me from a conservative standpoint, specifically Corroon.

BTW: Lived in Seattle and LA so happy to complain/"pontificate" about Utah politics.

orion | 4:45 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Checks can and are counterfeited as easily as credit card numbers stolen.

Bramble's arrogance and behavior towards "the help" who he must know has no power to change company policy makes me roll my eyes.

I wonder what would have happened to a worker in Bramble's business who decided to defy policy. You think that person would have had a pass?

Bad business decision | 4:48 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Sheesh...

"Making a big deal out of something, and making insulting judgements about someone just because they did exactly what uncountable numbers of people do daily is beyond ridiculous."

Everyone who uses checks is likely to get upset when they are told they can't use one. For those who pay for the convenience of being able to write a check and not use a debit or credit card are bound to be upset.

"I'd say anyone who hasn't ever been behind someone in line having that same debate, or worked as a cashier/delivery driver/etc and not had people upset over not being able to pay with a check has probably been under a rock for a long time."

I would agree. People do get upset about not being able to use a check because some people want a hard copy of their transactions, want to be able to keep a record of those transactions in an easily accessed location on their person.

A debit/credit card doesn't allow you to do so. It forces you to rely on bank statements. There is an even smaller group of people who refuse to use any credit/debit card and its a disadvantage to them.

Checks forever | 4:54 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Cash won't be accepted in the next 20 yrs. It is a bit scary to think that checks get such a bad rap. Banks love debit cards because of all the money they make on overdraft fees because people don't keep as good ledgers as they did with checks.

Oh Please | 5:16 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Bramble Bullies Pizza Person!!!
I challenge DN to put that headline on the front page. It sums up the whole problem with our legislative Masters. . . . Diselect this guy, please????

Who'sHeKidding? | 5:20 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Bramble expects all of us to take HIS personal check, I wonder if HE would be so magnanimous as to take OURS? I mean, he DOES take our taxes doesn't he?
Bramble is the perfect poster-boy for UtahArroganceinaction.(last word is not a run-on, it's intentional, inaction!)

Only Accept Checks | 5:26 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

What is even more weird (and arcane) is the few companies (and utilities, credit card companies, etc) that only accept checks. I never cary a checkbook and my wife never gives me much cash but I always have my debit and credit cards with me. It's hard to guess what form of payment someone will accept.

What an Old Man | 5:27 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Who uses paper checks?

Attention, OLD PEOPLE!

There is no reason to ever use a check anymore.

Thank you,

Young Person

Jason | 5:30 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

To me, the point of this story isn't a examination of a check versus cash or credit options. Its that an elected official was aggressively overbearing and intimidating towards a young woman who was just doing her job. He then tried to use his position to get special treatment. Besides being a bully, this behavior is unethical and inexcusable.

Ron Burgandy | 5:35 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

If Sen Bramble would have mentioned he was friends with Merlin Olsen and that he comes over on occasion I'm sure the pizza place would accpeted his check.

EdM | 5:44 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Maybe it is me but quite a few of the postings on here don't get the point. Bramble tried to browbeat this young lady and use his "title" to tell her he should be "above" what was her company (and many other companies) policy. THAT is the issue and the sooner people vote him and the rest of the current legislative leadership of the Republican Party OUT, the sooner this state will have the opportunity to find common ground on a host of issues affecting its' future. Gosh, I miss the days of Scott Matheson.....even Norm Bangerter looks good to me now!

Grow UP | 5:50 p.m. Aug. 22, 2008

Even prominent legislators have to follow the same rules as the rest of us regular folks.

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